Automobile-service recorder



J. F. AND F. L. OHMER.

AUTOMOBILE SERVICE RECORDER.

AFPLICATiON FILED JUNE 12, 1919.

1 ,360,567. Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

6 SHEETSSHEET lawn/Mon W ff 22% J. F. AND F. L. OHMER.

AUTOMOBILE SERVICE RECORDER.

APPLICAUON FILED JUNE I2, 19]!)- 1,360,567. Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

6SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. F. AND F. L. OHMER.

AUTOMOBILE SERVICE RECORDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2, I919.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- awe/who:

/ Swarm;

J. F. AND F. L. OHMER.

AUTOMOBILE SERVICE RECORDER.-

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1919. 1,360,567. Patented Nov. 1920.

. 6 SHEET T 4 gr.- 62 98 F 6 7/ awn,

J. r. AND F. L. OHMER.

AUTOMOBILE SERVICE RECORDER.

APPLICATION HLED JUNE 12, I919.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

J. F. AND F. L. OHMIER.

AUTOMOBILE SERVICE RECORDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1919.

1,360,567. Patented Nov. 30, 1920. I 6SHEETSSHEET 6- MISELLANEOUS DATA QUANTITI WEIGHT OR VOLUME MACHINE N0,

MILEAGE I DAl'E TIVIE LDENTIFICATION fi P W- a I o 0 0 30.5 IDLEOOJULY H PM 5. 00 507 0 o 0 2 3- TRIPOZ JULY PM 4. I 5 1507 0 002 3.0 BEPAIROOJULYII PM 4.00 1 7 ,0 0 023-0 KEBIIROOJULY II PM I. 00w 7 Ti ]fl o 0 0 2 3.0 mmnoo JULY 1: AM n. 00 1 507 00019.0 I0N|2JULY|LAM|020 1507 0 00: 9.0 TOFIO JULY 1| AM 9.55 507 00 0 I 2.0 UNL0.03 JULY I: AM 9. 0 1507 00 0| 2.0 UNL0.03 JULY AM a. 0 507 0 0 0 0 7.0 LDAD03 JULY II AM 7. 30"507 0 0-0 0 7.0 L04U03 JULY 1| AM 7. I 0 1507 0 o 0 o 5.0 TRIPOI JULY-II AM 7. 00 1507 0 00 0 5.0 OIL 02 JULY 1| AM 5.32 1055 '0 0 0 5.0 6A520 JULY AM 6. 30011055 L L L L L M 104 Z i I g U L 6% -J32 w I 121 w 'j 120 50 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. OHMER AND FREDERICK L. QHMER, 0F DAYTON, OHIO; SAID FREDERICK I.- OHMER ASSIGN OR TO SAID JOHN F. OHMER.

AUTOMOBILE-SERVICE RECORDER.

Application filed June 12, 1919.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, JOHN F. OHMER and FREDERICK L. OHMER, citizens of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county'of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile-Service Recorders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automobile truck service recorders and is an improveinent of the mechanism shown and described in our Patent, No. 1,258,803, granted to us March 12th, 1918.

The main object of the invention is to provide a service recording machine which enables the ascertainment of full data or information incidental to the expense, earnings and time involved in operating auto trucks and similar motor vehicles.

A further object of the invention is to provide means in a service recorder where by the operations of the entire vehicle, including the recording mechanism, are wholly under the control of clock or time Inechanism. That is to say, the clock mechanism must be maintained in a running condition in order that the vehicle shall be kept in an operative condition.

To this end the machine is of a character which will give a printed record of the drivers control of the truck or vehicle, the time at which the truck begins and ends its useful service, and the time at which various operations are performed in connection with the operation of the truck, the number of miles the truck has traveled during any one trip, the number of trips, the number of the particular truck, the amount of gasolene and oil placed in the machine and the time at which they were so'placed and by whom they were placed in the machine, the amount of time required in loading and unloading, and the amount of idle time consumed by the truck, as well as any other data that may be serviceable in enabling the owner to be informed of the service as well as the expense and time attending its performance. These and other objects will be more fully indicated in the specification to follow and pointed out in the claims.

Preceding a more particular description of the said invention, reference is now made in general terms to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a front elevation Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920. Serial No. 303,691.

of the mechanism of the machine with the casing shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the mechanism at the left end of the machine, looking at Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar elevation of the right end of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the flexible connections for the mileage and time mechanisms.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the identification key.

Fig. 8 is a view of the clock-setting key.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the right end of the printing mechanism, and Fig. 10 is a view of a printed statement or record such as the machine is capable of furnishing at any time.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, 1 represents a rear plate which supports frame plates 23- and 4, upon which plates the mechanism, with the exception of the printing device, is mounted. The said rear plate lalso supports a casing 5 which incloses the mechanism of the machine.

Mounted within the plates 2-3 and 4 is approximately on the a shaft -6 upon which is mounted aplurality of printing wheels the location of said shaft being best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. At the extreme left, as seen from Figs. 1 and 5, is a series of type wheels 7 which together with their accompanying transfer wheels 8 mounted on a shaft 9-, constitute and operate as a counter. Mounted between the first and second wheels from the right, is a plate -10 (Fig. 5) supported by the shaft 6 and provided with a projection 11 adapted to print a period and permitting the counter to indicate tenths of miles as will be seen from Fig. l0. The mileage counter is actuated from a wheel of the truck, and the right hand printing wheel 7 thereof is provided with a gear l2 in mesh with a duplex gear 13 mounted on a shaft 14- as will be seen from Figs. 1 and 2. The gear -13 is, in turn, in mesh with agear 15 mounted on a shaftf 16 supported in the plates 2 3 and 4-.

The shaft -l6 is provided with a worm gear -l7 in mesh with the worm 18 mounted on a vertical shaft 19 which is 'journaled in bearings 20 on the rear of the plate 1.

The lower end of the shaft 19- is adapted to be connected in any well known manner with one of the wheels of the truck, and the timing of the above specified gear is such that the right hand wheel of the mileage counter will make one tenth of a revolution for each tenth of a mile of travel. To the right of the mileage counter are three type wheels 2l22 and 23-. The wheel 21 is adapted to print indications of miscellaneous data such for example, time on, time off, load, unload, idle, trip, repairs, oil, gas, etc., and other suitable information pertaining to the operation of the truck. The wheels 22- and 23 are adapted to print numbers as will be seen from Fig. 10, and indicate the quan tity, weight or volume of the item printed by wheels -2122 and 23 are set by means of gears 24 and telescopic shaft 25- which extend out through the casing o. are provided with setting drums 262T and 28 the peripheries of which are provided with visual indications corresponding to the printing indications on the wheels 2122 and 23. The drums 26 27 and 28- are set through the aid of a shield 29- which indicates what type are in printing position. To ermit the numbers on the wheels 26 an -27 to be read in proper sequence, and to eliminate an obverse order due tothe pressure of the telescopic shafts, the drums 26 and -27 are nested, and the drum -2T is provided with openings -30 through which the numbers on the drum -26 are visible. To the right of the gears 21-22- and 23- are arranged type wheels --31 32 and -33- adapted to print the date. These type wheels are manually set by means of gears -3l, telescopic, shafts 35- and drums -36 which are identical with the gears, shafts and drums above referred to.

To the right of the wheels 31-32 and -33 are type wheels 37- which are adapted to print the time. The wheels 37- actuate as a counter and are provided with transfer wheels 38-. The unit wheel of the said counter is provided with a gear 39 in mesh witha duplex gear -40- mounted on a shaft 41--. The gear l0 is provided with a pinion -4t2- in mesh with a drive gear -43- of a clock -4A and by means of which the time counter is actuated. The time counter is rovided with a visual indicator as follows: he gear 39 is in mesh with an idler 45- mounted on a shaft 46 and in turn in On their outer ends the shafts -25-' mesh with a gear 47 mounted on a shaft 4-.8 which carries a worm -l9 The worm -'l9 is in mesh with a gear 50- mouhted on a plate 5l on the outside of the casing 5. An hour hand 53 is also provided which is actuated through reducing gears 54;--. The hands 52 and .53 move over a clock dial (not shown). The wheels -3T- and the hands 52'' and -53 are set by a key --55-shown in Fig. 8. The said key 55 is provided with a pinion 56- on its end and the said key is adapted to be inserted into the machine through an opening -5T- adjacent to the gear 40. By placing the pinion 56 in mesh with the gear --10 the wheels 37 and the hands 5Q and -53- may be rotated. To the right of the time wheels 37 is a stationary type -58 adapted to print the machine number, or the number of the truck as the case may be. The type 58 is supported by a key-housing -59 attached to the plate -+l. The said housing 59 is adapted to receive a printing identification key 60 which is insertible through the outside of the casing and is provided with a type 6l adapted to print the number of the driver to identify him, or the inspector, or any other authorized person.

All of the printing type above described are mounted in alinement, and mounted below the same is a platen -62--, see Figs. el and 9. The platen 62 is provided with arms 63 pivoted at 64- to end plates 65 and 66-. The said end plates are rigidly connected by a curved plate -67 and are pivoted at 68-- to the rear plate 1--of the machine. Passing over the said platen 62- is a paper strip 69 which unwinds from a roll -70- mounted on a spindle 71 supported in the side plates -65 and 66. To permit of the insertion of the roll of paper --70, the printing mechanism is lowered on its pivots 68 after having opened the door 92 which forms the bottom of the casing. The printing mechanism is held in an upper or printing position by hooks -93 depending from a rock shaft 9al-- journaled in the plates 2 and 41. The

hooks -93 are adapted to engage pins 95 extending from the end plates (35- and -66. The said hooks are further held in engagement with the pins 9? by a spring 96 mounted on the shaft 94.

To secure an impression on the paper from the type, the platen -62 is elevated by a cam 72 having shaft extensions 'T3 and -74.- journaled in the end plates -65 and 66. The said shaft extension 7 l-.is provided with a square end to receive a sliding sleeve which extends out of the casing. On its outer end the sleeve 75 is provided with a knob -76- by means of which the cam =72- can be rotated and the said platen thereby elevated. To lock the said cam in a normal position, the sleeve -T5 is provided with a flange 77 having a recess -78 adapted to receive a pin 79 mounted on a member 8() attached to the end plate -66-. By pressing inwardly on the knob -76- against the tension of a spring 8l, the flange -'77 is moved out of the path of the pin 79 which in turn permits the said knob and the cam -72 to be rotated. Retrograde movement of the knob T6- and the cam 72 is prevented by a ratchet 90 mounted on the shaft extension -73- and in operative relation with a spring controlled pawl 9l. After the knob and cam have made one rey'olution, the recess 78 receives the pin 79 which indicates that the printing operation is completed. After passing over the platen 62 the paper strip 69- passes between feed rollers 82 mounted on shafts 83- and -8'-L. The said feed rolls 82 are pressed together by spring-controlled levers '89- which bear down on the ends of the upper shaft -83. On its right end the shaft 84 freely carries a Swiss gear 85- adapted to be engaged by an intermittent gear -86 on the shaft extension T4:. The shaft 84- is driven from the Swiss gear 85 through ratchet mechanism -ST.

The said ratchet mechanism permits the feed rollers 'to be manually rotated, when inserting the paper, by a disk 88 on the left end of the shaft -S4. When the platen -62 is actuated by rotating the knob 76- the feed rollers will be partially rotated thereby permitting the various impressions to appear consecutively as seen in Fig. l0-. The paper feeding operation takes place at the end of the printing operation.

Previous to the taking of an impression the type are inked by a roller 97 mounted on a spindle 98 and drawn upwardly by springs -99-. The ends of the spindle -9S ride in slots 10() in levers 10lpivoted to the plates 2 and 4. The levers 101* and the ink roller '9T carried thereby are moved to and held in an outer position by springs -102. The lower ends of the levers -101 are provided with slots 103 adapted to receive pins 10l. The pin l0lat the right is mounted on a crank 105- while the pin at the left is mounted on a disk l()6.

The crank 1()5 and disk 106- are mounted on the shaft extensions T4 and -Y3.

During the actuation of the printing mechanism and before the platen begins to ascend, the pins -104 pick up the levers --101 and carry the inking roll 97 under the type. After the type have been inked the said pins release the cranks and the roller snaps back under the influence of the springs 102-.

To aline the type on the mileage and time counters 7 and 37, the right hand wheel on the primarily actuated wheels thereof are each provided with a star wheel 107- having the same number of teeth as there are characters on the wheels. The star wheels 107 are adapted to be engaged by pawls 108 mounted on a rock shaft 109 journaled in the plates 23- and 4. The shaft -109 is provided with a spring 110- which normally maintains the pawls 108- out of the path of the star wheels 107. The left end of the shaft 109 is provided with an arm l1l having an anti-friction roller 112 adapted to normally lie in a cam recess -l13 in the disk l06 of the printing mechanism. 'hen the printing mechanism is actuated the shaft 109 is rocked which operation places the pawls 108 in engagement with the star wheels 107- thereby alining the primary actuated type wheels.

To permit of the alining movement of the type wheels without disturbing the actuating means therefor, the transmission gears 13 and 40 are made duplex, one portion of the gear is provided, as is shown in Fig. 6, with a hub 123- which fits into a boss l24- on the other portion of the gear. The hub 123 has a recess 125- which receives a spring 126 lying in a pocket -127 and attached to the boss -121-. This arrangement permits of a slight relative movement between the two portions of the gears 13 and 40.

The remaining type wheels of the counters are in turn alined from the primary wheels by their transfer wheels in a well known manner.. The pawls 108- are held in engagement with the star wheel during the en tire operation of the printing mechanism.

The manually set type wheels may be alined by any suitable well known means such as spring-pressed rollers which ride over the teeth of the setting gears.

To compel the taking of an initial impression before the truck can be operated, means are provided to close the ignition circuit of the engine after each alternate operation of the printing mechanism. Mounted in the rear plate 1 is a casing 1l-l in which are mounted two conductors ll5-. The said conductors -l15 are provided with contact points ll6 adapted to be placed in engagement by a plunger 1l7. The plunger -1l7- is provided with an antifriction roller -1l8 which rides on a cam 119. The cam ll9 is pivoted at -120- to the member The cam -l19- is also attached to a gear -12l-in mesh with a pinion 122 mounted on the shaft extension -74-. The ratio of the gears l21- and -122 is two to one. The printing mechanism must therefore be actuated twice to make and break the ignition circuit at the contact points -116-.

In the position the parts are shown in the drawings, the first impression has been made and the ignition circuit is closed.

To compel a certain sequence of operations, the following devices are provided. See Fig. 3. The key 60 is provided with a cam face -128 adapted, when the key is inserted in the machine, to rock a lever l29 and to unlock the printing mechanism by moving a projection -130- out of a recess 134 ina disk -132 attached to the gear -121. When the key is withdrawn, a spring -131- places the projection in the said' recessthereby locking the printing mechanism. As the ignition circuit cannot be closed until the printing mechanism is actuated and as the printing mechanism cannot be actuated until a key is inserted, the lever 129 therefore compels for the first operation, the insertion of the key.

After the printing mechanism has been actuated for the first time, and for each alternate time thereafter, the key 60 is locked'in position by a lever 132--the free end of which'is adapted to enter a recess -l33 in the said key. This leved -132- is controlled by the spring -131 and a pin l35- mounted in the cam 119. It will be a seen that the levers 129- and 132 compel two operations of the printing mechanism intermediate of the in sertion and extraction of the key, but permitting subsequent actuations of the print ing mechanism without withdrawing the key.

T o prevent the truck being operated when the clock 4& is not wound sufiiciently to drive the time printer, the winding shaft 136 thereof, as is shown in Fig. 3, is provided with an intermittent gear --137 in operative relation with a Swiss gear -138 pivoted at 139-. V The gear --138is pro vided with a disk 140-- having a block of insulation -14l-'which is adapted to be engaged by brushes 14:2- mounted on the casing -114 and-connected into the ignition circuit. When the brushes --14i2- are in contact with the disk, 140 the circuit is closed and the truck may be operated, but when in engagement withthe insulation the circuit is open. As shown in Fig. 3, the clock is unwound andthe block -141 will be moved away from the brushes when the clock is wound and will move toward the brushes during the operation of the clock.

Mode of operation. After the clock is wound, the date wheels ;-31, 82- and 33'are properly set,

and the paper strip -69- is in place, the operator inserts his key 60- which in the present instance, as shown by the record in ig. 10, is that of the inspector. The inser tion of the key rocks the lever -129-, moves the projection -130 out of the recess 134 of the disk '132 thereby unlocking the printing mechanism. Before actuating the printing mechanism, the operator sets the wheels -21, 22, and 23--, to print any necessary data. The operator then actuates the printing mechanism by pushing on the knob 76-, thereby moving the flange -77 out of'the path of the pin 79 and gives the knob a complete revolution. The initial movement of the printing mechanism locks the key in position as the pin 135- releases the lever 132 thereby permitting the spring 131' to move the free end of the lever .132- into the recess 133- of the key 60-. At the same time the mileage and time counters -7 and 37 are alined through the instrumentality of the star ,l04.-'and levers 101. The subsequent movement of the printing mechanism elevates the platen 62 by the cam '72,-

and presses the paper strip 63 against the type thereby securing an impression. The continued movement of the printing mechanism feeds the paper strip forward as the intermittent gear -86 will partially rotate the Swiss gear 85 which drives the feed rollers 82. The final movement of the printing mechanism of the first and alternate operations thereafter, closes the ignition circuit at the points 116- through the means of the plunger -117- and -1l9- and gears 12l and 122-. The motor is then in a condition to be tested by the inspector in the present instance, or the truck to be operated when the same cycle of operations has taken place, upon the subsequent insertion of the drivers key. To permit of the withdrawal of the key the inspector, or driver, on subsequent operations, must take a second impression. During this impression he prints the amount of oil supplied, he having in the present instance, printed the amount of gasolene on the first impression. On the initial movement of the second printing operation, the contacts --116 are broken, and at the end of the second and subsequent alternate operations, the pin -135- moves the lever 132 out of the recess 133- of the key, thereby upon taking each impression, manipulates the data wheels '21. 22. and 23- to print any pertinent information.

At the time of taking each impression, the mileage the truck has subsequently traveled and since the previous impression was taken. and the time at which the impression is taken will be indicated thereon. This gives an infallible record of the service of the truck. as the means for operating the mileage and time counters are out of the control of the drivers entirely.

hile we have described our invention with some particularity we do not desire to be limited to details as these may be varied without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.

Having described our invention we claim:

1. In a service recorder for motor v'ehicles. a clock-driven time counter, a mileage counter driven from a wheel of said vehicle, printing mechanism for taking impressions from said counters showing the distance traveled by said vehicle and the time consumed. and means actuated from said printing mechanism. including a plunger adapted to control the ignition circuit of said vehicle. and whereby said ignition circuit is closed when an impression is taken from said time and mileage counters.

2. In a service recorder for motor vehicles. a clock-driven time counter. a mileage counter driven from a wheel of said vehicle. printing mechanism adapted to simultaneously interrupt the ignition circuit of said vehicle and take an impression from said time and mileage counters. and means actuated by said printing mechanism and including a plunger engaging the switch of said ignition circuit.

3. In a service recorder for motor vehicles. a clock-driven time counter. a mileage counter driven from a wheel of said vehicle, shiftable type for printing miscellaneous data. printing mechanism for taking impressions from said counters and type. a cam and plunger actuated by said printing mechanism and controlling the stitch of the ignition circuit of said vehicle. whereby the ignition circuit is closed when an impression is taken from said counters and said type.

at. In a service recorder for motor vehicles. a clock-driven time counter. a mileage counter driven from a rotating part of the vehicle. said time and mileage counters being flexibly connected to their respective driving means. printing mechanism for taking an impression from said counters. a cam actuated by said printing mechanism. and a plunger actuated by said cam and engaging the switch of the ignition circuit of said vehicle. whereby said circuit is closed when said printing mechanism is operatedto take an impression from said time and mileage counters.

5. In a serving recorder for motor driven vehicles. a time printing counter. a mileage counter driven from a rotating part of said vehicle. clock mechanism controlling said time printing counter. and a switch connected to said clock mechanism, said switch being opened when the clock runs down whereby the ignition circuitof said vehicle in interrupted.

In a service recorder for motor vehicles, a time counter. a mileage counter driven from a rotating part of the vehicle. clock mechanism connected with said time counter, the winding mechanism thereofbeing adapted to control the ignition circuit of the vehicle thereby rendering said vehicle operative or inoperative.

T. In a service recorder for motor vehicles. a time counter. printing devices for taking impressions from said counter. clock mechanism connected with said time counter. said clock mechanism being also connected into the ignition circuit of the vehicle and arranged to interrupt said circuit when the clock spring is unwound. whereby the vehicle is rendered inoperative until said clock spring is rewound. I

8. In a service recorder for motor vehicles. a time counter. a mileage counter, and clock mechanism controlling said time counter and connected with the switch of the ignition circuit of the vehicle. whereby the said time counter is operative while the clock mechanism is in action, and is rendered inoperative when the clock mechanism stops.

9. In a machine of the character specified. a time counter, clock mechanism controlling said time counter. a mileage counter driven from a rotating part of a vehicle. impression devices adapted to take records from said counters of the time and mileage service of the vehicle. the clock mechanism being connected into the ignition circuit of said vehicle whereby the vehicle is rendered operative or inoperative. v

10. In a machine of the character specitied. a time counter. clock mechanism controlling said time connter and the ignition circuit of the vehicle. a mileage counter adapted to record the distance traveled by said vehicle when the clock is running. an identification device. and impression'devices cooperating with said counters and identification device in furnishing records therefrom indicating the service of said vehicle and the identity of the driver. I

11. In a machine of the character specified. a time counter. a mileage counter driven from a rotating part of a vehicle, a clock connected to said time counter and to the ignition circuit of the vehicle, said ignition circuit being maintained closed While the clock is running whereby the mileage counter is rendered operative during such time, and impression devices for taking 5 records from said counters showing the mileage and time for any given period.

12. In a machine of the character described, a clock mechanism, an ignition circuit including a source of electrical energy,

10 said clock mechanism being connected into said circuit and arranged to break said circuit when the clock mechanism stops, Whereby the vehicle is rendered inoperative While the clock mechanism is in a stopped condition. 15

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures.

JOHN F. OHMER. FREDERICK L; OHMER. 

